The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers FA Buys Team Time To Develop Youth

By Bret Stuter

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) dribbles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) dribbles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Gerald Henderson

Gerald Henderson is another versatile veteran guard.   Once more, checking out averages, stats, and box scores simply does not tell the tale.  Looking at his stats, you will see a player who averaged 19.9 minutes per game, 8.7 points per game, 2.9  rebounds, 1.0 assists, and .54 blocks on a per game basis.  Nothing to get excited about on that front.

But Henderson plays with passion. He’s a true leader of any team he joins, because he speaks up when the chips are down, firing up his teammates to face the opponent on the court.  He plays with the passion of Philadelphia.

"‘ “It’s still our game!” , “This game means more to us than them.” , “Keep executing. Keep rebounding. Push the ball. Stay with our game” As they kept creeping back in the game and then when they went ahead, the timeouts … guys would be quiet. Heads were down. Nobody was saying stuff … in those times you need to be even more vocal; that’s when we need it. You can see sometimes guys get quiet, they get in their head thinking about stuff. And I’m like, nah. Play how we know how to play. Forget what they are doing, we need to continue how we are playing.’- Gerald Henderson describing his role in the team huddle as a Portland Trailblazer"

Those impromptu pep talks do not show up on the stats sheet.  Nor do his abilities to bring along young talent like Nik Stauskas, Hollis Thompson, or even Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.  But he will, because that is who he is.

He is also a good defender on the wing.

His teammate had this to say about him after a hard fought win where Henderson put up a season high 19 points

"“I told him at the end of the game … that he’s a soldier. He is one of those guys when it really gets tough out there, he’s one of those guys you know you can count on. When the game gets a little rough, the other team gets going a little bit and you are up against it, some guys get quiet. Some guys shy away from it. But he got louder in the huddle.”- Damian Lillard"

Those are the types of players who are priceless. You want them on the Philadelphia 76ers.  Firey, competitive, passionate players elevate the play of all teammates.

Next: Hernandez